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Prologue
Clay
Iwalked into the diner like most nights. But unlike most nights, it was almost closing time. I was done waiting. December Trevino had fucked with my head for the last time.
The woman had been slowly, unknowingly, driving me crazy from the moment I laid eyes on her a couple of months ago. She’d come into Odyssey and within forty-eight hours purchased the Rose Diner from Bob and Missy Flowers. They’d owned the diner since they graduated from high school back in the seventies because it had been in Missy’s family a decade before.
It was clear for a while that they’d wanted to sell, but selling it to a stranger new in town? It shocked me. And her dark almost black gaze had fucking captivated me. Not that she even spared me a second glance.
Usually, if it wasn’t meant to give me some kind of attitude.
Whatever I’d done, it was clear I didn’t make the best first impression. Especially since she heard me bitching to my best friend and sheriff, Luke Clark, about a newcomer buying the diner.
No matter how much I tried to apologize, I either made it worse by putting my size-eleven boots into my mouth or trippedover my own words. Luke and my brothers, Ryder and Troy, loved to give me shit about it.
But tonight was the night.
Tonight, I would find the peace I’d lost since seeing her that first time in town.
Long, dark hair flowed behind her, her sweet curvy body wrapped up in the prettiest red dress and sky-high heels that set her already perfect ass up that much higher. Just the sight of her made me want to kneel and worship at her feet.
I got out of my truck and shut the door, ignoring the cold bite in the air. It was the end of November, and we’d had a long summer, but it looked like snow was about to start to come down soon. I glanced at the tiny car I’d parked next to on purpose and glared at the Hot Wheel come to life. She was going to need something bigger and sturdier than the Mini Cooper she’d strolled into town with if she was going to get around in the snow. Our little town got all four seasons, and winters were not shy in Odyssey.
I pulled the door open and sighed with relief at the fact it was just the two of us in the diner. The bell over the door jingled, and she looked up from the cash register. But instead of the usual smile she gave her customers, her eyes were glassy and her pretty face splotchy. An overprotective feeling washed over me. One I had never, not once, felt.
Instinct took over. My feet ate up the space between us. She didn’t move from her spot. She didn’t even scold me about getting behind the counter with her like she had in the past.
“You’re crying,” I stated the obvious as I held her face in my hands. I tried to ignore how soft and silky her skin felt and the way it made my body burn for her. That would have to be for another time. She opened and shut her mouth as her big dark eyes stared up at me.
Before I could say anything, she started to sob.
I pulled her small body into mine and held her tightly. I had no idea what was wrong, but whatever it was, I’d make sure to fix it.
Because what I realized holding December in my arms? She was my kind of peace.
December ‘Emi’ Trevino
“Well, well, well.” My friend and employee, Maya, grinned in my direction. “Look who just pulled into the parking lot.” I didn’t have to look out the windows that faced the lot to know who she was talking about, but I did anyway.
I couldn’t help myself.
Not when it was about the man in question. My eyes were drawn to the cowboy like a moth to a flame. Completely captivated, I watched Clay West unfold his large, powerful body from his truck. He stood to his full height of six foot three inches before he leaned in and grabbed his deep brown cowboy hat, placing it on his head and adjusting his thick sherpa coat before slowly making his way toward the front door with a grace that surprised me from a man of his size. All of that in front of the snowy background of the small town made it feel like I was in the middle of a real-life romcom.
“I think you have a little drool…” Maya patted the side of my face. I shooed her away, ignoring the blush on my cheeks. Maya might have been my employee, but she was also my best friend. We had bonded quickly since I’d moved to Odessey and built a great friendship.
“Shush,” I muttered, dropping my eyes the moment the bell rang over the front door, and Clay West stepped inside. It was a little after ten in the morning, and the usual breakfast rush in the middle of the week was long gone. Only two or three of our regulars remained as they sat at their booths.
“Morning, Maya. December.” His head tipped, and when our eyes met, I had to make sure to stand taller and straighter because the man’s gaze had a way of making me weak in the knees.
“Emi,” I corrected and ignored the heat that hit my face. I’d just told him to call me Emi. Only my friends called me that. But what else could I consider him after sobbing into his arms a week ago?
“Emi.” His deep raspy voice made me feel like a puddle of goo. “Nice to see you ladies this morning.” His deep penetrating gaze never wavered from mine even though he seemed to be talking to the two of us.
“Booth or counter, Clay?” Maya asked. I didn’t have to look at her to know she was about to bust up laughing. She thought this thing between Clay and me was hilarious.
“Wherever Emi is.” His lips quirked up, and I blinked. My brows furrowed.
This was new.
